Types of Housing in Berlin: Altbau vs Neubau and Beyond
Berlin is known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and unique architecture. Understanding the different types of housing options available can help you make decisions about what to look for when hunting for an apartment. Either you love the charm of old Altbau apartments or you would prefer the modern comfort of Neubau developments. Perhaps you have always dreamed of a loft-style apartment or need a bit of outdoor space. In this guide, we’ll explore the various housing types you can find in the city and help you decide which one suits you best.
Commercial space at street level. image: wiktor karkocha
Berlin’s urban landscape is characterised by its distinctive mixed-use architecture. In most neighbourhoods, ground floors of residential buildings typically host shops, cafés, and small businesses, while upper levels are reserved for apartments. This design fosters a lively interaction between commercial and residential spaces, creating streets that seamlessly blend everyday living with retail activity. It's common to find courtyards extending behind these buildings, often housing workspaces, studios, or additional businesses. This proximity allows residents easy access to amenities, promoting walkability and a vibrant community atmosphere. In outer neighbourhoods, commercial areas may be more centralised, lending these districts a village-like charm while still providing a similar range of conveniences.
1. Altbau (Older Buildings)
Altbau refers to older buildings that were typically built before World War II. These apartments are often celebrated for their architectural beauty, high ceilings, and large windows. Altbau apartments have that old-world charm synonymous with Berlin and are scattered throughout central Berlin. They are a popular choice for those seeking a sense of historical charm.
Key Features:
High Ceilings and Large Windows: Altbau buildings are known for their spacious rooms, often with ceilings as high as 3.5 metres and large, double-paned windows that let in plenty of light. The buildings themselves are usually 4-5 stories high with various configurations around a central courtyard.
Original Features: Expect to find beautiful wooden floors, ornate plasterwork, and sometimes even original fireplaces in Altbau apartments.
Drawbacks: These buildings can be more expensive to heat due to their size and older infrastructure. Noise insulation may also be an issue, especially if you are living on street level, since they weren’t designed with modern soundproofing in mind.
Best Neighbourhoods for Altbau Living: Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, and Schöneberg are some of the most common areas for Altbau apartments. These neighbourhoods retain the historic architecture while offering a vibrant urban lifestyle.
Altbau Apartment Features
2. Neubau (New Buildings)
Neubau refers to buildings constructed after 1945, often with a focus on modern amenities and energy efficiency. These new developments are designed with contemporary needs in mind, featuring modern, open-plan kitchens, floor heating, and high-quality insulation.
Key Features:
Modern Design: Neubau apartments are typically sleek, minimalist, and functional, with open-plan layouts and modern finishes. Sometimes even with underground parking.
Energy Efficiency: With better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and modern heating systems, Neubau buildings are cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.
Cons: While Neubau buildings offer convenience, they may lack the character and charm of older Altbau properties. Rooms are often smaller, and the architectural style can feel generic.
Best Neighbourhoods for Neubau Living: Friedrichshain, parts of Mitte, and newly developed areas on the outskirts of Berlin such as Adlershof and Schöneweide are hotspots for Neubau apartments, with quite a few popping up in Kreuzberg and surrounds.
New buildings Berlin image: Marius Serban
3. Plattenbau (Prefabricated Buildings)
Plattenbau refers to prefabricated concrete buildings that were erected quickly during the post-war period, especially in East Germany. While not as aesthetically pleasing as other housing types, they remain a popular choice due to their affordability and spacious layouts.
Key Features:
Affordable Rent: Plattenbau apartments are usually cheaper to rent compared to Altbau or Neubau options.
Spacious Layouts: Despite their simple exteriors, many Plattenbau apartments offer generous living spaces with large rooms and functional layouts.
Cons: The uniform design of Plattenbau buildings can lack character, and they are often located further from the city centre.
Best Neighbourhoods for Plattenbau Living: You can find Plattenbau apartments in neighbourhoods like Marzahn, Lichtenberg, and Hohenschönhausen. These areas may not be as trendy, but they offer a cost-effective solution for those on a budget.
Plattenbau image: Marcus Lenk
4. Lofts and Converted Spaces
Berlin is a city of reinvention, and this is reflected in its abundance of lofts and converted spaces. Many former industrial buildings, factories, and warehouses have been transformed into stylish, open-plan apartments. These spaces are perfect for artists, creatives, and anyone who appreciates a unique living environment.
Key Features:
Unique Layouts: Lofts and converted apartments typically feature large, open spaces with high ceilings, industrial details, and an abundance of natural light.
Creative Vibe: These spaces are often found in trendy neighbourhoods and are popular among Berlin’s artistic community.
Cons: Lofts and converted spaces are usually more expensive and can be very difficult to find due to high demand.
Best Neighbourhoods for Loft Living: Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are known for their converted industrial spaces, while Mitte also offers some high-end loft options.
Rooftop, converted Industrial Space, Kreuzberg image: Tania Kelley
5. Remises
Originally built as carriage houses or stables, these buildings are often hidden in the courtyards of urban properties. Over the years, many have been transformed into stylish apartments or studios, offering a private and charming living environment.
Key Features:
Historic Charm: Remises retain their original architectural features, providing a unique blend of history and modern living.
Private Courtyards: Typically located in the back courtyards of larger properties, Remises offer a quieter, more secluded living space.
Creative Spaces: In areas like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, some former industrial buildings have been repurposed into studios or offices, appealing to artists and professionals.
Cons: Due to their unique nature, Remises are relatively rare and may come with higher price tags compared to standard apartments, plus many have been repurposed for commercial activity. Additionally, they are usually smaller and may lack the modern conveniences found in newer developments.
Best Neighborhoods for Remises: Kreuzberg, Mitte, and Friedrichshain are known for repurposed industrial spaces and Remise conversions.
Industrial buildings along the Spree image: Mark Konig
6. WG (Shared Apartments)
WG (Wohngemeinschaft) is a shared apartment, a popular living arrangement in Berlin, especially among students and young professionals. In a WG, each person has their own bedroom but shares communal spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.
Key Features:
Affordable Living: Sharing an apartment allows residents to split rent and utility costs, making it one of the most affordable ways to live in Berlin.
Social Environment: WG living is ideal for those who want to meet new people and integrate into Berlin’s vibrant social scene.
Cons: Living with roommates requires compromise and less privacy than in your own apartment.
Best Neighbourhoods for WG Living: Young people and students often live in areas like Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Wedding, but you’ll find plenty of shared flats all over Berlin as it is a popular living model for many types of people. Take a look at WG-gesucht.de if looking for a share house in Berlin.
Architecture in Berlin
7. Detached Houses and Villas
For those who prefer more space and privacy, Berlin also offers detached houses and villas. These homes are typically found in leafy districts outside the city centre.
Key Features:
More Space: Detached houses and villas often include gardens and sometimes multiple floors.
Privacy: This type of housing provides a quieter, more private living environment.
Cons: Detached houses and villas are often more expensive, located further from the city centre and are in more traditional neighbourhoods that may not be as convenient for newcomers or those with no German language skills. You may also find WG’s here as well.
Best Neighbourhoods for Detached Houses: Zehlendorf, Charlottenburg, and Grunewald are known for their large, standalone homes and are popular among families and professionals seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Houses in Zehlendorf
FAQs
What is the main difference between Altbau and Neubau? Altbau apartments are older, historic buildings with high ceilings and original features, while Neubau refers to modern buildings with updated amenities and better energy efficiency.
Are Altbau apartments more expensive to maintain? Yes, Altbau apartments can have higher heating costs and may require more maintenance due to their age.
Is it hard to find affordable housing in Berlin? While Berlin's rent prices have been rising, areas like Neukölln, Wedding, and outer suburbs offer more affordable options compared to central districts.
What’s the best area for families in Berlin?
Neighbourhoods like Zehlendorf, Charlottenburg, and Pankow are popular among families for their larger homes and quieter, green surroundings.